Brian Jensen

AR-15s are everywhere. With a couple mods, we even have them in the civilian market in California. There are all kinds of things I can do with this 50-year old platform, from different barrels, mounts, or stocks I can find with the click of a mouse. I can make it look like a Christmas tree with all the gizmos and gadgets I’ve found. But really, the trick is to pick the things you really need on your AR. For me the most import thing is an optic. I can make do with iron sights fine, but as I get older, an optic makes it much easier to actually see my sight picture and hit my target. My problem is that scopes are just plain pricey these days. If you want a name brand, many of which are battle tested by our military, you’re looking at the $600+ range new, which is almost like buying another rifle. Going into SHOT Show this year, I was curious about the optics that are under $200, and that seem to be reliable for the AR-15 platform.

As a Range Instructor for a medium sized department, I soon learned that shooters come in various shapes, sizes, experiences, and abilities. One aspect we found, was that many of our smaller stature officers, who happened to be female, struggled to use the department issue gun, a Glock 22 or 23 in .40 S&W. These days we have the Gen 4 Glocks with interchangeable backstraps, and 17 year old Team Glock member Tori Nonaka is shooting double stack Glocks in competition. This is a bit of an overview, and a short interview with Tori.

At SHOT Show 2012 a little while back we got a brief look at the Gen 4 version of the Glock 21. Fortunately for me, I had just purchased a new Gen 4 G21 just a few days prior to the show, and we can now get a change to look at it from a more “hands on” point of view.

I don’t know how many times I have seen on an internet gun classified or auction, “No Sales to California!” (It’s usually on the item I really want too…) Sometimes people like to be cute, and call it “Kalifornia” instead. Most sellers who do this make reference that due to laws they don’t agree with, they refuse to sell to buyers in the Golden State, and seat of liberal silliness. Sometimes they just feel like there is too much nonsense to deal with and it isn’t worth their time, and sometimes they just won’t do it on principle.

Ruger’s rifle is a well-loved firearm and enjoys a loyal following for its rugged reliable properties. Many people love the traditional look of a wood stock and blued barrel. It’s also just a light and handy rifle for many as their “truck gun”. And for some, it’s the only legal semi-auto .223 rifle for civilians in states that ban rifles such as the AR-15.

A first look a the new Rock River 1911 with a polymer frame and machined slide. It feels a little different than a standard steel 1911, but this was just a first look on a prototype gun. At the projected price point of about $800, this new 1911 will be a formidable competitor in the market at that price point, and higher price points. Rock River doesn’t mess around with anything they do and this gun is truly impressive.

The AR-10 finally is available with a non-proprietary magazine, it takes Magpul P-Mags now. Also some new uppers from Armalite as they charge ahead with a 7.62×39 and 6.8SPC upper for their iconic rifles.

Every gun used for daily carry deserves a quality and comfortable leather holster system, and these belts and holsters from Aker Leather are second to none. Aker is a small company with big products, and these are new for SHOT Show 2012.

Made in USA with US materials, the Crossfire approach to holsters is different that other nylon holster companies, and they are a company you should check out. Ingenuity reaches across law enforcement, civilian carry, and even shooting bags, so check out Crossfire today.